There is only one race in Obstacle Racing that can be classed as ‘Legend’ and that’s Tough Guy the Original. Tales, upon tales have been told of this brutal race. The race is 30 years old and this years race was billed as the last one, so I had to take the chance to complete my one and only Tough Guy. I had signed up for Tough Guy before it was announced that it was the last one and as it was my first I was in the ‘wetnecks’ pen to start. I had toyed with the idea of paying the £190 to race front squat and see what I could achieve, but with travel and accommodation, I couldn’t quite justify it. Although after learning the legend himself Jon Albon was running it and completing the race for myself, it’s a choice I have some regret over. Anyhoo….There was a different vibe in the Event Village of Tough Guy. It’s hard to explain. It’s a very earthy and random/makeshift place, but very endearing. You got the feeling that everyone had a reason to be there. A pilgrimage, a rites of passage, a love for the Tough Guy, a test of their limits. The legend of Tough Guy is so dreaded, that you could hear the nervous laughter of many a runner, which was coupled with looks of dread of what was to come, all hidden behind a sense of carless abandon and fighting spirit. The atmosphere is definitely something I will always remember.

There was some chaos to begin with. The numbers of participants were vast, and as such registration struggled and the race wasn’t starting on time, which is fine, not the first or last race that will happen at. Once in my allocated area with all the other wetnecks at the back….and quite far at the back of them too, there was some muffled announcing, which you just couldn’t hear. Partly because of crowd noise, but mainly due to rubbish sound. The Ghost squad getting the crowd going was, however, awesome. I could hear the main dude even more than the announcer with a mic. It certainly got the heart pounding and got you ready to go. When we got the nod, we made our way over the big start hill and a minute or so later we were finally allowed to get on our way. And on our way we all went… at a snail’s pace walk. The crowd of runners was so massive, and we were so far at the back, that you just couldn’t get running. After about 3 mins of this, I said ‘f’ck it’ and legged it off down the edge of the crowd. The next 2 to 3 km was about cutting past as many people as possible, probably running at a pace faster than I normally would set off at, but I was running well. The hay bales helped thin out the crowd more as I was able to leap them quicker than most.

The first part of the race is ‘The Country Miles’. This is almost a race in itself. Around 10km and containing more obstacles than some other races have altogether, it’s a hard and exciting run. The hill slaloms are steep and tough, and started sorting out the stronger runners. They seemed to go on forever. In to the woods was great fun, going under cargo nets (lots of cargo nets), over many log hurdles and barriers, I managed to pick up more pace here and push on. But then there were more slaloms, but through water and up embankments. The water was cold, which was welcomed at first as I was beginning to overheat slightly. But by number 5 my legs were numb, I couldn’t feel my toes, and just when I finished and got running again, I got hit with yet more water, and then more water, there just seemed to be water everywhere. This is where I feel the mental battles began. Constantly trying to keep positive thoughts and keep focused gets tough when you worry about not being able to feel your toes or legs… but continue on you do.

And then it’s time for the killing fields. Already cold and numb, nothing quite prepares you for this gruelling, relentless, punishing part of the race. This is when Tough Guy starts to throw the punches. The killing fields are only around 4-5 km, but it feels so much further. Monster High A frames with some electric fields in between greet you as you enter the killing fields, and that’s just the easy stuff. You hardly get to start running again before being faced with another mental and physical challenge. Each obstacle completed was just a mini victory. You stop focusing on how well you will finish the race, but more on surviving the race. Mound after mound of dirt to climb. So much water to wade through. It was gruelling in there. And of course you then have full submersions of water to come. Which I am so happy I survived, although my calf started to cramp taking on the first full underwater submersion. But the shock of the water is so over powering I just wanted to get moving. A quick stretch and I was off again, a wave of adrenaline hitting me and kicking me on. Walking the plank and jumping in the water battered me with cold again. A big shout and angry growl kept the adrenaline high, and a wave of heat came across me, knowing that the main cold water was done, I knew I could handle anything after those two dunks. But legs were growing weary, cramping in muscles becoming a real pain in the ass and still so many obstacles to go. Many a quick stop and stretch and move again, was happening often. There was a group of us now heading hard and fast to the end point, all gliding over the obstacles with a spring our tails, all shouting and motivating each other along as the last stretch was insight. Up the last hill and over the finishing line… Ecstatic and exhausted. I have to thank a guy whom kept me going at various points of the race. We had a good laugh and finished the race together. But with my only concern to get changed and warm again, I never caught his name!

So that was it, done, completed, finished, with no more Tough Guys to come. What did I think of it? Simply put, it was Epic. It was Brutal. It was punishing. It was everything it promised to be. I had to dig to a level of mental strength I hadn’t yet gone to, and that’s what I have been searching for from Obstacle racing from the get go.

A lot of people felt the race repetitive and while I have to agree, I felt that this was part of what made it so gruelling, so challenging, so ‘Tough’. I felt for every soul I watched passing through the finish line after me. Being out there longer than I was must have been hard, and many were still smiling. I heard there was a lot of queuing at obstacles too. I was lucky enough to get away from the crowds on the running part that I did not come across any of that, so hats off to those who persevered and tolerated this and pushed on.With it being the last one I am so happy I got a chance to run it. To me it was everything I was expecting and more. A true challenge I will never forget.

This January I had two big winter races on my calendar Mactuff and Tough Guy The original. This is my thoughts and personal experiences of these races.

Mactuff (formerly known as McTough Guy) was a race I had set my goals on for most of 2016. I ran the first one in January 2016, placing 6th. , which I was ecstatic about. It was my first taste of winter Obstacle racing, and I felt my team and I prepared wonderfully for it. The race was great, challenging terrain, some good obstacles, cold Scottish weather and a beast of a sandbag carry (a mile and a half up hill). So naturally we signed up for the following year to come. Adding Tough Guy the Original while we were at it.

I trained hard over 2016 for obstacle racing, and it was paying off. I managed to pick up 3 first places, and finished respectfully in many other races. But I really wanted to do well in MacTuff, so focused my training on this and on Tough Guy.

The couple of months running up to Mactuff, my training was going really well. Doing runs with the sandbag, much more hill running and generally increased my mileage. My left knee started to play up a matter of weeks before the race. As most of us do, I pushed through the pain and continued on with my training. It wasn’t hampering my performance or stopping me improving, but it was hurting like a bitch for longer and longer afterwards! A bad case of runner’s knee! Two weeks before the event I only managed one run. The week of the event I then get the bloody cold. That was all I needed. So morale was low.

The day of the race I was not feeling good about how I would do. Initially aiming for a top 10 finish, I was now thinking top 20-50. Head was burst and knee was still recovering from a measly mile walk the night before.

Arriving at Mactuff it was already busy. There was a great atmosphere around the Knockhill Event Area, and meeting up with my M.K. Fitness team helped relax my nerves. An easy registration process and it was time to get ready. I was in two minds whether to wear a neoprene layer for this race as I knew there would be at least some cold water included. It was a cold day, with a deep layer of fog, but I opted to go without, a choice I am glad I made.

Lining up at start line the atmosphere was starting to ramp up. It was taking a wee while to get things moving though. An entertaining warm up and amazing Scottish Pipe Band (the drummer was right at me on start line, and it really got my heart rate and adrenaline up) did help in keeping the spirits high though, and it was at least dramatically quicker than last year at getting going. A quick ‘3,2,1’ from RD Alex Potter, and away we went.

My starts are what usually set me in good stead in races, but for this one I chose to be a little bit more conservative and sat back in fourth. Cutting left to take on the American Football team was a good bit of fun, and a little feint left to one, helped me slip in to second place. After here it was a little messy, with only verbal instruction at the start to go on, a few of us up front had no real clue where we were going, relying on onlookers pointing. It was like this for most of the first part of the race at the track, but once off of the track it was a lot better marked and easier to follow. Heading up the race track and cutting off I was sitting around 3-4. It was quite tight up at the front for the first few Km.

Hitting the sandbag carry was great. I was wearing neoprene gloves, and luckily it was here some of my M.K. team were Marshalling and I gave them my gloves as I was starting to overheat. The sandbag carry was great as it incorporated many different obstacles. Climbing over a container via cargo net, navigating burns and rivers, crawling under cargo nets and running off road made it feel fresh, and I was glad I had trained hard with a sand bag on my back. After this section I was sitting happily in 3rd. Not long after we hit another fresh obstacle, the car pull. I could have sworn the person in the car had their foot on the break as it was a bitch to get moving, but I got it done. Coming to a traverse along a fence and rope climb I was sitting nicely in third still. I’m generally quite strong on climbs and took the lead after managing to get to the first rope and scaling it quickly. I was very surprised. I managed to scale the next inverted wall climb easily enough and maintain a little lead for a while. Coming to the weaver, an obstacle I had never done before, it was tight again, with 3 of us bunched together, including Connor McGourt, so I urged Connor to take on the obstacle first so I could see how it was done. I was trying to learn it fast right behind him. Apart from a near slip, I managed to figure it out quickly and get moving. The rig with go kart tyres on chains was a tricky one. Connor and I were both crossing together, but I slipped and had to repeat the obstacle or face 5 mins on to time. Nailed it. The fog was so thick now, could hardly see 30 metres ahead, so I just focused on my running. My knee was starting to niggle, but energy good.

Flying over the monkey bars with ease and powering well up and down the dreaded slaloms, I felt I was in a groove and was really actually starting to enjoy the course. It was tough and it was taking everything I had to keep at the pace I was, but I was loving it. After a blast through some woods, I was then running around an odd marsh land, which felt like it went on forever. Mounds of uneven ground and moss. It was so hard, tricky to navigate but so genius. It was a case of you had to just keep moving and keep your knees high. Finally getting out of it felt like a relief. I could see the event and race circuit, which gave me a little hope that it was nearly over. But… Nope. Hitting more Slaloms, but with embankment scrambles, I was getting tired. Connor gave me a shout about my position, which gave me a good boost. It was now about hanging on. Then I reached the swim across the pond. An ice cold pit of water (which I found out first-hand the previous year from jumping in it twice on a cold water training day.) I didn’t hesitate and was told I was not to use the rope unless required. So swam away. I was fine to start… but then I could not feel my body. I was just moving hoping that it was doing what I wanted it to do. When I got out I literally thought that was me done… I stood for a second asked to be pointed in the right direction and started bumbling forward up the rocky slope. Literally just dropping down the other side to be faced by 3 monster truck tyre tall walls, and 3 of them. Climbing them was killing me, but it started getting the heat back to my hands and feet. Only to be faced with a water scramble under barbed wire just around the corner. Energy was fading fast. Then I heard a welcoming shout. My name was being shouted by my trusted M.K. Family! That got me moving again. Getting up the last hill scramble was taking everything I had, with Jim of my M.K. team telling me to move my arse, I tried to kick it. Alex was then close by just literally pointing me in the right direction as I was not even looking anymore. As I Hit the home straight the pipe band started, crowd cheered and I came over the line in 2nd place. A 2nd place that meant more to me than any first place I had accomplished thus far! I was so relieved, and so happy!

After crossing the line I started to cool down quickly. Luckily MacTuff had warm showers! It was the best trickle of water ever! It took a while to warm back up but got moving and there was plenty of vendors to get food and drink to get refuelled!

Then it was off to watch and encourage everyone else and see home others from my team, Philip, Ford, Vicki and my wonderful Wife Karen.

MacTuff was a great event. Yes I did well so that could cloud my judgement, but it was a great course and well organised. I had fun. Is there things that could be improved on, of course. More clear course direction at the start and water stations. My wife Karen mentioned congestion at a lot of the obstacles while she was on course, so that will be something I am sure that will tried to be remedied next year. Great race t-shirts and awesome finisher medals. Although a little nit-pick is there was no medal for coming second. I like to work hard for a good place in these races, and I don’t really care for prize money/vouchers or whatever, I’d rather have a medal or a trophy to look back on years down the line.

Anyway, glad that MacTuff improved upon their previous winter event and I will be there battling the elements again next year.

So MacTuff was a race I was focused on doing well in… My next race I just focused on surviving!

So this is just my thoughts on winter training and what could possibly help you get through your winter races and training effectively. Also I recommend that you try to always train with a training partner or training group when being silly and jumping in to burns, ponds, lakes or whatever. I have put in as many links for each item of equipment/kit as I could. So anyway....

In 2015 myself and 2 fellows I had been training decide to attempt our first winter Obstacle Race, McTough Guy(now known as MacTuff). We had been taking part in obstacle races for around a year or so and we were very much looking for tougher and tougher challenges. Knowing that I didn't take to the cold weather and water naturally I knew I needed to prepare! So my research began, and judging on how well we performed and how well we have since adjusted to cold water and tougher weather conditions I thought I would share my two cents on what has worked for my team and I.

You will have no doubt have read the tales of hypothermia and adverse reactions to the cold at some races, such as Tough Guy the original, The Nuts Challenge etc. And on completing McTough Guy, it was crazy seeing people suffering from the cold, and suffering bad. And this was without any true full submersion in water! I felt fine with the weather through the race( as we had thoroughly prepared) but once I stopped, it was crazy feeling the effects, such as shaking without even realising it. But it was very mixed on how people reacted. In the changing/shower block people were violently shaking and were unable to strip. Though some seemed to warm back up fine. For me i think it was all about preperation. And with Mactuff and Tough Guy the original coming up for me this coming January, I will be doing the exact same, if not more, preperation again.

Adaptation:

Being adeverse to the cold I started looking and googling to see how I could adapt to the shock of cold water and to the cold weather in general.

I decided that a large part of it all was going to be mental toughness. My reaction to cold water at races was, well, over the top to say the least. Artic Enima, water slides etc, would all send me screaming and shouting, soon followed by blue lips and shaking, although that was mainly due to gear (more on that later). So in September 2015, I had Total Warrior. They have their fair share of water to run and jump in to, and so I decided I would start here. I accepted that it was going to be fresh, and attacked it hard. And with this acceptance, there was less of a shock and more enjoyment.

Which although I never had to adapt to anything like the temperatures mentioned, gave me some food for thought. Basically we all have temperatures that we get comfortable with. But we can acclimatize to new environmental changes with gradual changes.

What I did to acclimatize:

Wear less clothing. Even when cold outside I would wear a t-shirt or lighter clothing.

Crank on the Car A/C. To get my hands more used to the cold, when I was driving I would drop the temp to its lowest and focus the fans on to my hands.

Gradually lower the temperature of the house. Lower the heating. Simple really.

Drop the shower temp. Every couple of days I would gradually reduce the temperature of the shower, a half notch at a time. This was probably one of the most effective methods for me.

Now, on top of all this, once a week, at least, we would meet up at the park we train at, and start to wade through burns, do press ups in to the water and have a dunk in to the pond. I'd recommend you get in to burns or running water as it tends to be colder. As soon as you are out of the water it is vital to get moving again. This will get you used to running when you are cold. A hard thing to get used to is the wet cold feet. It can feel like lead bricks at the end of your legs. So getting moving is vital to get the blood flowing again.

Equipment:

So, like we all do, we searched the forums, listened to runners of previous winter obstacle races, and done some trial and error when it came to the gear we chose to train and race in. It all really depends how well you already feel with the cold.

My combination varies depending on the amount of water and temperature of the race.Also this is order I wear the items of clothing in.

Merino Wool baselayer (Can be pricey but search around and you can get a good deal. It's probably your best item of kit for keeping you warm.)

The predominant memory of last years Scottish Major Series was that it was so cold, rainy and windy, I had trouble untying my shoelaces at the end of the race because my fingers were freezing!

This years event promised to be very different due to the great weather we'd currently been enjoying in Scotland and the fact that the Major Series had undertaken significant change. Not only has it been rebranded to associate itself more with the Royal British Legion, new obstacles and format had been announced. The result has elevated the Scottish Major to a completely new level and raised the bar on how an OCR should look and run in my view.

Registration was quick and easy online via the active.com website. A choice of either the 5K or 10K route to choose from and plenty of information on where the event is, how to get there and what to expect once you arrive. Indeed, signposts for the Major started to appear by the side of the road a few miles away from the site which offers reassurance to drivers that they're going the right way.

The build up to the race comes from the Major via a few emails, all with the military theme and based on the premise that you are recruited to take on a mission to complete the course with the support of his troops.

The Cardoss Estate is a private farm with over 4000 acres and includes a river, ponds, plenty of muddy ditches, fields and fences. Upon arrival, parking is free guided by marshals and the event village is a short walk away.

Upbeat music plays over the tannoy system with occasional advice announced by the Major. You recognise the Major because he looks exactly like his cartoon image on all the materials and website; a commanding figure in military uniform complete with huge moustache a la Blackadder Lord Melchett style and cane - great fun!

Included in the village is the registration tent, changing tents if required, toilets, a free car-keys/phone bag drop, MOMA porridge stand with free samples , Red Bull representatives handing out free cans, Blacks sports store and stands selling hot or cold food with a table and seating area and bar. A huge map of the course was also on show, medics available and a photo area to have your free photo taken at the end of the race. The feel and vibe of the village was great and this is where people congregated prior to their start wave.

The Major announced the waves every 15 minutes and the Army PT Instructor put you through your paces in the warm up pen. Once finished, the Major marched in front of the wave to the starting point where he fires his gun and let's you run through the thick coloured smoke bombs that have been thrown on the starting line. Quite the spectacle!

A few hundred metres in the Basic Training Zone and the military PT Instructors are shouting “15 press ups”, then run to do 15 squats, then another short distance to do 15 burpees! Then on to the tyre field before a chance to get into a stride running over uneven ground to the first big obstacle; MOMA Perilous Porridge Pot wall. This was a huge block where you climb up one side of the block (the pot) along the flat roof, which was a cargo net made out of canvas belts, then down the other side. An original obstacle in my experience.

Balance beams, cargo net wall and cargo net crawl, postman’s walk balancing on a rope between 2 trees featured in the Air Zone, which led to the Land Zone.

This zone had various muddy ditches, some quite deep. Spider web, a barbed wire crawl through thick, wet mud and a run through a boggy area found you being squirted with water from soldiers in full camouflage gear - I genuinely did not see them coming. A chance to throw a hand grenade (potato) into baskets tested your aim; and if you failed - 5 burpees!

A common feature of the course was sound effects, such as rifle fire and battle cries or well known rousing military tunes being blasted from several hidden speakers which really added to the theme and effect of the event as you went round the course.

The highlight of the Marine Zone featured wading into the river where 3 large inflatable logs floated in front of you. The only way through was under the logs and although the water wasn't freezing, it still took your breath away as you went fully submerged under each log.

Running into the Extraction Zone encountered a series of high over and under beams, a series of floating mats to run over in a pond, a huge slide (photo opportunity), tunnels to crawl through, a log carry and a mock front of a house where you could either go through the windows or climb through the blocked doorway. Every now and then, flames would appear from the top of the wall. Again another original obstacle.

Eventually the finish was in sight and the last hurdle was a massive A-Frame wall with ropes. Marshals willing and helping you along if you needed it.

There were marshals everywhere. Clearly an advantage the Major Series has is access to cadets, volunteers and the British Military Fitness teams throughout the region and their friendly banter, support and advice is a huge plus for the Major Series.

The finish line takes you into the village where you receive your medal, T-shirt and goodie bag. An impressive bag it is too with a can of Red Bull, sachet of MOMA porridge, Hi Five gel and electrolyte tablets and discount vouchers advertising Blacks Sports store.

A chance to get a bite to eat and drink, not forgetting to pose for your free souvenir photo - all photos available online after the race.

This was a fun, challenging course, well-organised and well run. Considering the parking, car-key drop, porridge, race timing, spectators entry and finish photos are free and the excellent T-Shirt and goodie bag, this is a great value event at £40 (or £35 for the 5K), if you took the early bird price. Last minute entry came in at £59 with a range of prices in between depending on how late you register.

Attention to detail in areas such as communication, the layout of the course, the obstacles and the event village has raised the bar in how a good OCR ought to be delivered in my view, and I for one will be happy to take part again next year.

Philip Crosson

TrailTroopers May 10K OCR Review

How often have you read a review of an obstacle course race you've recently completed and wondered if you were running the same race?

It's a very subjective view, isn't it? So at the risk of alienating my fellow runners who took part, please recognise that this is my take on the TrailTroopers May 10K OCR at Chatelherault Country Park, near Hamilton on Sunday 2 May.

Entering the race was straightforward through EntryCentral via the TrailTroopers website. There’s plenty of useful information for the novice, clear instructions and good email communication from the TrailTroopers Team prior to the event on how to get to the event, where to park and what to expect when you arrive.

TrailTroopers offer one of the best value OCR in Scotland and provide a series of prices from the early bird price of £23 to latecomers at £30 for the 10K.

There were 3 available distances to run; 10K, 5K and 2K. The 2K is aimed at Mini-TrailTroopers to encourage kids to take part and have fun. The different races took place over 6 waves starting with the 10K at 10.50 through to the last 2K wave at 13.10.

Waves 1 and 2 in the 10K and wave 1 in the 5K was timed using RaceSplitter on an iPad, which is why your race number needs to be visible when you cross the finish line so the Marshalls could note your time.

Driving to the event was straight forward using the SatNav postcode provided in the pre race email and plenty of parking available upon arriving, which was near the Registration Tent.

Registration was quick and easy and this is where you received your race number. A bag drop was also available if you had to leave car keys or bags. Toilets and changing areas were available and you could find a café in Chatelherault House if you wanted a hot drink.

The course is set in the magnificent grounds of Chatelherault Country Park and takes advantage of the natural terrain and woodland in addition to the man made obstacles throughout the race.

Wave 1 was called to assemble in front of the starting line and I was expecting a 10 minute warm up session described in the pre race instructions but unfortunately, it turns out the person who was going to do the warm up hadn’t arrived. The morning was a bit cold and light drizzle on and off meant that if you hadn’t taken it upon yourself to keep warm and stretch, you may well have started not properly warmed up.

The loudspeaker wasn’t that loud and I don’t think the front line heard the starting gun go off which prompted shouts of “Go!” from those that heard the gun.

The first obstacle was immediate; a few metres away was a huge cargo net pinned down on the side of afairly steep hill. The path at the top of the hill led to the woodland. A variety of fallen trees, muddy ditches and banks to clamber over became the first of many obstacles to overcome throughout the race.

It wasn’t long before we came across the first of 3 river sections; ranging from ankle depth to over your knees.

A variety of trails took us through streams, a tyre carry through some very boggy and muddy pits, several spider webs, a log carry, a rope climb, a water drainage tunnel, a monkey traverse, a long series of steps and some long inclines where some of the physical challenges encountered.

Towards the end of the race a crowd had gathered to see you overcome the final tests before you reach the finish line. These included a huge water slide (back down the hill from the start), a balance beam, climbing walls, a series of overs and unders, parallel bars and balance over a see saw.

All runners in the 5K and 10K races received a very nice medal in the shape of a jigsaw and a TrailTroopers T-shirt. A bottle of water and a wafer biscuit was also welcome along with some information about the Finding Your Feet charity. This cause supports people who have gone through life changing trauma and is supported by TrailTroopers.

I later learned that vandals had moved signs and taken down markers and course tape overnight prior to the race. I didn’t notice this disruption at all during the race, so credit to the Race Directors and Marshalls who quickly put things right. In fact I thought the course was very well marked out and didn’t wonder once which direction to take.

So despite a bit of drizzle prior to the race, this was an enjoyable, sometimes challenging race that made the best use of the natural landscape. The event was well organised, with the support of friendly, encouraging Marshalls and volunteers.

TrailTroopers next event is Castle Dangerous OCR, on Saturday 13 August at Douglas (in-between Lesmahagow and Abington), a new venue for TrailTroopers and one that promises to be just as challenging and fun as Chatelherault.

Philip Crosson

I was excited about taking part in this years Tartan Warrior, after hearing how well last years events went from a few clients. And I have to say I really enjoyed it.

Signing up for the was done through EntryCentral.com. The process was simple and painless. Not as fancy as some other sign up sites, but it does the job. I felt that post race information was given out a little late, less than 48 hours before the race. 2 car park options were given for the race, and we went for car park 1. However, we found it difficult to find, with no signage to the car park and sat nav taking me a little further away(apologies to the persons house I had to park outside ). But a little wonder up the road and I could see where were to go and the red arrows took us to the event area, it was a bit of a trek.

Once at the event village things were pretty straight forward. My team and I were in wave one and registration was easy to find. The cue for registration was seemingly at a standstill for an age, but with a quick announcement the prioritised wave 1's registration and it sped up considerably. Not much else at the event village, just a couple of toilet stalls, no real bag drop and a table you could get some water and drinks from the Canada Wood Kitchen and Bar. But for the size and pricing of the event, couldn't really grumble too much. After some briefing on the wrist bands for the obstacle monitoring/penalty system they were trying out, were off to the start pen.

Little windy and cold standing there on the start line, and we had a little wait until were given the 3, 2, 1 by Joda( organiser of event with other half John). Once off, and sheesh I went off, we hit a muddy, uneven field, with a sharp turn into a nice deep puddle, then down to a crawl in the mud, a perfect start to really thin out the charging crowd. I kind of over cooked it at the start. Too much adrenaline me thinks! And paid for that no too long later. Hitting a couple of hurdles and then our first climb. After this it was a good solid running section. The location was fantastic, and have to say the obstacles were great. Wall climbs, table top, monkey bars, natural burns, rope climb, monkey bars and the addition of a ring toss. The course was fast and exciting. Challenging but fun. A great mixture and blend of natural and man made obstacles. Marshalls were all helpful, well except a couple of us getting told to go left instead of right at one point. It probably cost me a podium finish, but it made me run harder to gain a good few places back. And I can't let that effect my view on what I found to be a very enjoyable race.

As always at OCR's the atmosphere was great and spirits high, having a good laugh with many on the start line!

And I have to say, it is definitely the best FAMILY event around. It was great and obvious to see that kids and family was a big focus for this event, which I can only assume reflects the values of Tartan Warrior. Kids looked like they had a ball. I hope this event continues for the next few years so I can take my wee boy around the course.

Tartan Warrior was a fun, solid race. It crammed so much in to such a small course, which made you feel you were out running longer than you actually were. Really a great introduction race to OCR's, and superb for enthusiastically motivating the family to together and get outdoors and get active. Yes there were a few niggles and a few things lacking, none of that was to do with the important thing, the race. But for a more 'smaller', local, family friendly event you can not grumble. I am sure as they grow they will learn and only get better.

M.K. Rating

Event Booking: 3/5Price: 4.5/5The Race: 4.5/5Event Village: 2.5/5

Overall: 3.9/5(rounded up average for the great Family Friendly aspect)

I heard and read a lot of hype about the Mighty Deerstalker (run by RatRace) over the last couple of years. 'Toughest race ever'. 'Insanely hard terrain'. 'Brutal hills'. All key phrases that trigger that insane part of my brain to take over and thus I was eager to give it a go this year.

Signing up for the race using ratraceentries.com was very easy to do. Having you create an account actually worked really well, as it was easy to go and update details, purchase add-ons such as camping and parking, whenever required. They could have been a little more clear at the start however that Camping tickets were per individual and not per tent.

5 of us were running the race as a team, looking to sadistically enjoy ourselves and see what the race had in store.

Parking was good and very well marshalled, with the price pre-event being very reasonable.

Registration was relatively easy and painless. One of our team had forgotten his wallet and ID, but for a couple of quid and verification, it was easily sorted out. We all pre-booked camping tickets, and to register ourselves for this we had to go to another tent and again show ID to get the necessary wrist band to enter camping site. Not a very big deal in grand scheme of things, but the process wasn't made clear. And when carrying a tone of stuff, and putting ID away again, it was a little cumbersome process. But off to the campsite we went, and it was a little alarming how little space they allocated for tents. The campsite we were in was soon expanded as it was filling fast. Too fast it would seem. It was soon announced that there was another field for campers to pitch up in. But most, by this time, were set up, leaving one cramped campsite and one pretty spacious one. A tad better signage next year might help with this.

Wave and race announcements were continuous and informative and we were always updated to when to head towards starting pen. Once there it was a quick check of timing chip and head torch, a short warm up and away we went.

The race itself was great. Well marshalled and signed throughout. We were in wave 2 and started in the middle of the crowed as we were not gunning for a lightening time. It wasn't long before we came to the first of many points where the crowd slowed to a walk/halt. With a lot of the natural obstacles and routes requiring single file to get through. The terrain however, is EPIC. Ever changing under foot. The hills are exactly what I heard they were, brutal and unforgiving. Seemingly going on forever. The views from near the top of the first hill were spectacular, as it was still light. It was jaw dropping scenery and worth the price of the race alone. The further we went up, the darker it got. Going downhill of the first hill was awesome. At some points you could just let go and go for it. Other parts you had to really watch your footing and take some risks. The little disco on the way down the first hill was awesome, and really lifted everyone's spirits, and we were only sad there weren't more little things like that. After that we could see another amazing sight.... the other hill. The lights of the runners already on it, lit a gorgeous path to the heavens.

After the first hill was completed, we enjoyed a good stint of flat running, water wading and even some road running, which was filled with awesome locals giving their support and encouragement, which again just made the race so much more bearable and enjoyable.

Hill number 2 starts with a tease! I big tease. You conquer a long punishing hill, to be met with a sharp decline. Marshals at the bottom saying 'down to the right'... which was met with many a 'huh... isn't this the second tough hill?'. But a sharp turn left and we were on path to what was closer to a climb than a run. Up we scrambled to a daunting scree slope, with very loose rocks under foot. A quick glance right was enough to make anyone scared of heights. A choice of left or right lay before us and I chose left. Now I have heard differing opinions to which was more difficult or quicker, but damn, left went near vertically up, and it quickly became a spider-man crawl upwards. Again my sadistic little brain loved this section and enjoyed the physical and mental toughness required to conquer it. It was great see everyone help and motivate each other up this section.

After the Scree Hill, it was time for a long and demanding downhill. Steep, muddy and even down right dangerous, it was another exciting part of the course. Once at the bottom and back through the little town, which seemed even more populated with support, it was a couple of miles home straight, via some more mud, river crossings, deep water wade. The run along the water was stunning, another highlight. The crescent moon and stars shining bright, it just felt Epic.

Coming to the finish, down a inflatable water slide, was a little anti-climatic as it was a pretty tame slide, having to run down the last part of it. But regardless it felt great to cross the finish line to a great medal, a curly wurly and great team photo.

We were quick to our tents to change so we could go and enjoy the 'Beerstalker' tent and get some grub. A nice selection of food trucks were supplied I have to say. The atmosphere of the 'Beerstalker' was great. A great laugh had, with great music (well my kind of music anyway!), an uncomfortable nights sleep in the tent (its sleeping in a tent after a race, it was never going to be cosy) and great tasting bacon roll (or two) in the morning and we were off home.

All and all The Mighty Deestalker lived up to most of what I heard about it, and I'm sure I used those key words I mentioned earlier throughout my review. It was an amazing race. I had a really memorable time with it. With amazing terrain and truly brutal hills, it is a great and rewarding challenge. The price is very reasonable too. Will be back next year to give it a good hard run at.